San Mateo, Marin Co. beaches closed due to tsunami advisory

KGO

February 27, 2010 2:21:22 PM PST

National Park Service officials are monitoring Bay Area beaches Saturday after a tsunami advisory was declared for the West Coast but haven't seen any major waves within the first hour of the advisory, an agency spokeswoman said.

A tsunami created by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile overnight may be headed toward Hawaii, and the National Weather Service issued a tsunami advisory -- which is not as serious as a warning -- for Bay Area coastlines.

The tsunami was expected to hit the Bay Area coast at about 1:26 p.m.

"So far, things have been fine," National Park Service spokeswoman Chris Powell said. "We really haven't seen any high waves."

Officials previously reported Muir Beach and Stinson Beach were closed, but they have remained open, according to Powell.

In San Mateo County, the Pillar Point harbormaster is watching for any changes in the waves and the sheriff's office, Cal Fire and police agencies up and down the coast are working together to monitor the situation, sheriff's Lt. Ray Lunny said.

He said 1.6-foot waves are possible in Pacifica and up to 3-foot waves could hit Half Moon Bay.